Bond denied for husband in alleged murder for hire case

PERRY – Bond was denied Thursday for a Warner Robins man accused of murder-for-hire in the shooting death of his wife.

Joni Clements, 47, a clinical nurse for the 78th Medical Operations Squadron at Robins Air Force Base, was found shot to death Feb. 8 in the family’s home at 309 Westwood Drive. Her husband, James E. “Eddy” Clements, 55, a sheet metal mechanic for the 559th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Robins, was charged March 21 with felony murder and burglary in connection with the slaying.

Judge Edward D. Lukemire denied bond on the grounds that Clements would be a risk to intimidate other witnesses.

The bond hearing in Houston County Superior Court included testimony from family and friends of  James “Eddy” and Joni Clements in favor of bond, including their 20-year-old daughter Jorden Anne “Jordi” Clements.

Family members Tom and Sherrie Bussineau each gave a statement after the bond hearing in support of James Clements. Sherrie Bussineau is James Clements’ sister.

James Clements is accused of hiring Richard Sybert, 29, of Warner Robins, to kill Joni Clements in what Houston County District Attorney George Hartwig has characterized as a “cold blooded premeditated murder for hire.”

Hartwig questioned a friend of Clements who worked with him on the base about whether he knew Clements had asked others about hiring someone to kill his wife and whether Clements had a drawing of a silencer for a weapon inside his work tool box. Hartwig declined to elaborate after the hearing.

Richard Sybert, who is being held in Jacksonville, Fla., on an unrelated sexual battery charge by authorities there as well as felony murder and burglary charges here, was identified by Warner Robins police as the accused shooter. His father, Robert Sybert, 53, who cleaned the Clements’ backyard pool, is accused of serving as the getaway driver and of providing his son with the handgun used in the killing, Hartwig said.

Robert Sybert is also charged with felony murder and burglary. His attorney, Russell Walker of Perry, contends Robert Sybert is physically, mentally and developmentally disabled, and was taken advantage of and victimized by his son. A mental evaluation is expected.

The father and son lived in the Red Fox Run mobile home park about 1.5 miles from the Clements’ home.

The Clements were married for more than 28 years.

For more on this story, come back later to macon.com or read Friday’s Telegraph.

To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559

This story was originally published March 31, 2011 at 12:35 PM with the headline "Bond denied for husband in alleged murder for hire case."